Each nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule. Those are the functional units of the kidney. It will also accumulate in the blood with kidney malfunction.īUN is filtered in the nephrons and then reabsorbed in the blood, whereas creatinine is filtered and then secreted by the tubular cells into the tubular lumen.Įach of your kidneys is made up of about a million filtering units called nephrons. Creatinine is a breakdown product of muscle metabolism. The Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) level is a reflection of the amount of protein breakdown in the blood and it will accumulate with kidney malfunction. Help regulate blood pressure, red blood cells, and the amount of certain nutrients in the body, such as calcium and potassium.īUN and creatinine are two metabolites steadily produced in the body. Release hormones that help regulate blood pressure Control the production of red blood cells Filter the blood, keeping some compounds while removing others Although they are small, your kidneys perform many complex and vital functions that keep the rest of the body in balance. You have two kidneys, each about the size of an adult fist, located on either side of the spine just below the rib cage. In most cases of chronic renal disease the ratio remains relatively normal. When there is decreased formation of urea as seen in liver disease, there is a decrease in the BUN/Creatinine ratio. Increased urea formation also results in an increase in the ratio, e.g., gastrointestinal bleeding, trauma, etc. Reduced renal perfusion, e.g., congestive heart failure, or recent onset of urinary tract obstruction will result in an increase in BUN/Creatinine ratio. The BUN/Creatinine ratio is useful in the differential diagnosis of acute or chronic renal disease. The BUN/Creatinine ratio is obtained to assess normal kidney function, help identify possible kidney diseases, to monitor the progression of kidney disease, or to monitor the effectiveness of medications in treating kidney disease. The BUN/Creatinine ratio provides specific clinical information about the kidney that can be used for multiple purposes. The two together are used to measure overall kidney function. BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine are both filtered in the kidneys and excreted in urine. It may also be used to determine gastrointestinal bleeding or trauma. The BUN/Creatinine ratio blood test is used to diagnose acute or chronic renal (kidney) disease or damage. Why are we measuring the BUN/Creatinine ratio? When results of a creatinine test reveal excess amounts, it could signify impaired kidney function or kidney disease. Because muscle mass remains fairly consistent, creatinine levels remain essentially unchanged throughout the day. The rate of creatinine formation depends on the individual’s muscle mass. Like urea, creatinine is transported through the bloodstream and to the kidneys, where it is also filtered and excreted through the urine. It is normal to have some urea present in the blood since your liver is always producing it, but too much may indicate an issue with your kidneys.Ĭreatinine is another type of molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. Healthy kidneys then filter the urea and remove other waste products like urea through urination. The nitrogen comes from the waste product urea, which is converted from nitrogen and produced in the liver when protein is metabolized after eating. Note: If results for BUN and Creatinine are both within the normal reference range, the BUN/Creatinine ratio will not be reported (not applicable).Ī Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood, and is used to provide doctors with information on how well your kidneys and liver are functioning. However, the BUN to creatinine ratio may be used as an indirect estimate of renal function. Most clinicians agree that creatinine is a more specific indicator of glomerular function than BUN. The BUN and creatinine tests alone are excellent methods of testing liver and kidney health, but together, doctors get a much better understanding of your kidney health and can provide a more accurate diagnosis to kidney-related issues. Once a person performs both a BUN and Creatinine test, doctors can use the combined results to find the BUN-to-creatinine ratio. The Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): Creatinine Ratio is a renal (related to kidneys) function indicator, commonly used to diagnose acute or chronic renal (kidney) disease or damage.īlood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine are both waste products of normal metabolism in the human body.īUN represents the amount of nitrogen produced from the metabolism of proteins.Ĭreatinine is a normal waste product of muscle.
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